Precipice

when I run out of milk, bread, eggs, I take myself shopping
stepping fast, racing against the danger
sometimes even forgetting why I have to make such haste
but then I remember. I turn back
and see myself
balancing on the edge of a precipice

I come home laden, heart beating fast, feeling momentarily safe
and although my muscles may ache
I regulate my breathing, and my core begins to relax
but then I remember. I turn around
and see myself
balancing on the edge of a precipice

I recall the many attacks that felt like the final one,
the one that had taken the breath from my body
toppling me, sending me into an eternal, grief sodden freefall,
ears throbbing with the screams of the damned,
to join the blameless eyeball-popping crazies
who had been driven insane by pain like mine
but every time I came around
to find that I had stood my ground
and I was still
balancing on the edge of a precipice

years pass, with no day free from hope or despair
in a constantly rotating combination, and I stand
wobbling precariously, wondering whether I can survive indefinitely
whether something will save me
or whether I will eventually
fall off the edge of the precipice

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Author: janebasilblog

Jane sits around and writes a bit, then she does some other stuff, then she sits around and writes a bit more, then she eats something. Sometimes, at night, she goes to bed.
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9 thoughts on “Precipice”

It’s an odd coincidence -lately the daily prompt keeps coming up with words that are already on my mind.
I wanted to let you know that for some reason, I can’t post messages on blogs . I can only respond to other peoples messages to me. I’ve tried to figure out what’s gone wrong, but so far had no success.

Good balance is a matter of core strength, and I appear to have plenty of that. I exercise by balancing on one foot while I put my socks and shoes on, and when I dry between my toes after a shower – seriously. I tell myself that as long as I can keep my balance physically, it helps keep my mind in equalibrium 🙂